SAN JOSE — An investigation was underway after the decomposed bodies of two women were found inside a North San Jose motel room Sunday afternoon.

The discovery was made about a week after they checked in, authorities and witnesses said.

There were no immediate signs of foul play in the deaths, which were discovered by motel staff about 3:50 p.m. at the EZ-8 Motel on North First Street near Gish Road, San Jose police Sgt. John Carr said.

It was not clear how long the women had been there, but the odor and level of decomposition suggested several days, Carr said. Officers could be seen entering the second-story motel room clad in masks as they examined the scene.

There was no indication the women were reported missing before they were found, Carr said.

The business functions both as a short-term and residential motel. Sources familiar with the case said someone checked the women in on Monday and that they were discovered only after motel staff noticed their “Do not disturb” door sign had been up for at least four consecutive days, spurring a welfare check.

That led to a staffer entering the room and immediately finding the women lying on a bed.

The news shocked other motel residents, who described themselves as a tight-knit community. The women were not familiar to residents at the scene.

“I don’t want to assume who’s there. But there’s a lot of good people here,” said Richard Dillard, who has lived at the motel for over three years.

The causes and circumstances of the deaths remain under investigation.

Robert Salonga covers crime and public safety for the Bay Area News Group and is based at The Mercury News. A San Jose native, he has a bachelor's degree from UCLA and a Master's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland-College Park, but remains a Bruin at heart. His prior reporting stops include Washington, D.C. and Salinas. He is also a middling triathlete whose sole race goal is to be upright at the end. Contact Robert at 408-920-5002.

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